Labor has launched its comprehensive plan for ADF Personnel and Veterans today, which solidifies our commitment to our current and ex-service personnel and their families.

In the past three years, Labor has announced a number of policies which will overwhelmingly support both current serving personnel, as well as veterans and their families.

Today, we launch Labor’s Plan for our ADF Personnel and Veterans which includes 22 policies that will directly support current and ex-serving members and their families.

It also acknowledges our military legacy and once again expresses our gratitude for all current service and ex-service personnel for the sacrifices they make.

Labor has long said if there is more we can be doing to support our veterans, we should be doing it.

Labor will support our veterans through our comprehensive $121 million Veterans’ Employment Package – assisting those from military to civilian life.

We will also support our ADF personnel and their families through our National Family Engagement and Support Strategy and we are committed to ensuring DVA remains as a standalone department.

As the largest garrison town in Australia, Labor is announcing this plan in Townsville, acknowledging the pride of place this town has with the ADF and our veteran personnel.

There are nearly 6,000 DVA clients in Townsville who access support and services. That is why Labor has announced $5 million of funding towards Townsville Oasis – a veterans hub dedicated to providing the best care possible.

There is no doubt that our ADF is a unlike other workplaces, with ADF members not able to directly negotiate their wages and conditions with their employer.

Labor will ensure that ADF members’ views are represented at both the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal and to the government by providing the Defence Force Welfare Association with $100,000 per annum to ensure our ADF members have an advocate.

Labor is committed to giving our veterans the best possible support with policies which provide tangible outcomes.

One of the most important and urgent ways we can give weight and meaning to Lest We Forget is to ensure our veterans and their families receive the support and respect they deserve.

Labor is proud to deliver this significant investment to better support our current serving members, veterans and their families.

The Department of Human Services is partnering with key veterans’ employment agency WithYouWithMe to help give Australia’s former service men and women much needed opportunities to re-skill for civilian life.

Up to 36 veterans will be engaged by the Department of Human Services over the next three years to train and work within its cyber security branch, which defends the welfare system against the very real threat of online attacks.

The recruits have all been hand-picked by training provider WithYouWithMe as part of its ‘Talent Unleashed’ program, which assists former Navy, Army and Air Force personnel to transition into new careers.

The Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten and the Shadow Minister of Veterans’ Affairs Amanda Rishworth have today announced that a Shorten Labor Government will commit $121 million to a comprehensive Veterans Employment Policy to provide greater support to our defence personnel as they transition to civilian life.

Labor’s plan will help our veterans into good jobs by doing more to boost recognition of their significant skills and experiences, and better support veterans moving into the civilian workforce.

Best estimates cite veterans’ unemployment as sitting at 30 per cent. For those who did not medically discharge, there is an estimated 11.2 per cent unemployment rate – which is more than double the national rate. This is unacceptable.

Helping business to train veterans

A Shorten Labor Government will provide eligible business with a training grant of up to $5,000 in order to help veterans gain the skills and experience they need to move into a civilian job.

Whilst businesses are open to employing veterans, there can be specific short term skills gaps which act as a barrier to employment for an otherwise suitable veteran applicant. This grant is designed to bridge this gap.

In addition, Labor will fund an education campaign on the many benefits and translatable skills of veterans, to be developed by the Industry Advisory Committee

A new veterans’ employment service

A Shorten Labor Government will establish an employment and transition service which provides greater individualised, tailored support to transitioning veterans over a longer period of time.

Labor will establish a Defence Employment and Transition Service. This will be teamed with additional Transition Advisers, who understand both the unique skills and experience of our ADF personnel and how to best translate these skills for civilian employers.

Labor will ensure Advisers are trained and equipped to provide one-on-one support and advice to transitioning ADF personnel to give them greater opportunities, tailored assistance and effective support for longer. This expanded role will also undertake a comprehensive audit of the skills obtained by veterans during their service and ensure appropriate civilian recognition is obtained. Transition Advisers will also assess other barriers to successful transition such as secure housing and good social support.

Labor will extend access to this support for up to five years, following a period of intensive support during the first 12 months.

Expanded access to additional education and civilian training.

Labor will enable better access to additional education and civilian training for transitioning ADF members by reducing the length of service required to access the Career Training Assistance Scheme and increase funding for members, starting from $5,000 and increasing to $7,500 depending on the years served.

Labor will review access to training assistance to ensure that those with a higher risk following their time in the ADF can receive greater support.

Translating the experience of veterans

A Shorten Labor Government will work:
– to ensure that veterans receive recognition of prior skills and experience within civilian professional organisations and institutions;

– with States and Territories to expand the Queensland initiative of translating service personnel’s rank and length of service to a tertiary entrance score;

– with peak professional bodies to identify any current ADF training which meets professional civilian standards and work to ensure these are recognised outside of the ADF; and

– with Defence to establish a temporary security clearance for veterans to utilise as they apply for civilian work, providing a greater incentive to prospective employers.

When our men and women undertake to serve their country, we make a commitment to them and their family to support them after their time in the ADF. That is why Labor believes this is the first step to ensure those working in the defence force can move into meaningful employment, which is a key element of successful transition from the ADF to civilian life.

The Veterans Employment Policy will be funded through existing Defence resources.

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THE RAR CORPORATION IS A MEMBER OF THE ALLIANCE OF DEFENCE SERVICE ORGANISATIONS (ADSO)

ADSO COMBINES THE STRENGTH OF SEVEN MAJOR ESO'S TO GIVE A POWERFUL COLLECTIVE VOICE IN THE FIGHT FOR A BETTER FUTURE FOR CURRENT AND FORMER MEMBERS OF THE ADF AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE GOVERNMENT LISTENS WHEN ADSO SPEAKS AND IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ALL OUR MEMBERS TO SUPPORT THE WORK ADSO IS DOING IN WHATEVER WAY THEY CAN. PLEASE VISIT THE ADSO WEBSITE ADSO.ORG.AU TO LEARN MORE AND FIND OUT HOW WE CAN HELP YOU.